Before it gets dark, and after dinner... we spend time in the yard.
Typically its the usual putzing. Mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, examining the grass, watering, killing spiders... oh, wait! That last one is just something that I enjoy.
But occasionally we make bigger steps toward a finished yard.
This summer we have made great strides to get our side yard in tip-top shape. There is still a lot of work to be done. And true to self, I'm still not settled on the way it is currently. It usually takes two to three variations of something until I really decide I like it. But we're getting there.
The thing I think I'm most proud of is our humble little hydrangea. If you remember, I posted a picture of it last year when it was still a wee babe of a plant. Born from a clipping from Ryan's Grandpa's plant all the way from Oregon, we nurtured it as a single stemmed youngster. One glorious bloom last year was very pleasing indeed, but what lay ahead for this plant is just short of amazing.
It has experienced gargantuan growth this year! When I look back at how small it was, I can hardly believe it is the same plant, now just a year old. We planted it in a corner between the house and the fence, and I think it will fill that spot perfectly. I also am really happy that it has remained pink. The northwest soil around here seems to be most condusive to producing a blue or purple bloom, but I hope this one stays pink forever.
The rest of the side yard has done equally well.
Last year is when we decided to build up the beds bordering the walkway on the side of the house. We planted young specimens there, anxious for them to grow. And they have not disappointed!
We also added some texture and character with a few "decorative" rocks from our back hill. You would never know it, but the rocks are actually sitting on top of our sprinkler control box dug in the ground. We needed to fill that spot but still be able to access it, so our solution needed to be portable. Tricky, we are.
A day lily, an azalea, a couple of tall purple flowers that I have no idea what the names are, and a few petunias later... we have a semi-eye-pleasing space.
One day I came home to a finished project I had no idea was going to happen. Ryan decided we needed an island around our front maple tree. So... he made one. You just never know what you'll come home to with this guy! I need to fill the space up a little more, but it definitely adds some more much needed character to our yard.
I hope someday before I die, and after we win the lottery, we'll have an amazing yard and we'll be able to say we're done. But until then we'll enjoy the journey and post more Before and Afters.
